Jefferson Van Drew

Congressman Van Drew Introduces Bill to Suspend Federal Gas Tax

Position: Congressman Van Drew supports suspending the federal gas tax for 18 months, with a gradual phase-in thereafter, to reduce costs for American families and workers.

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew announced he is introducing legislation to suspend the federal gas tax for 18 months to lower costs for American families. The bill would eliminate the current federal fuel taxes, including 18.3 cents per gallon on gasoline, 24.3 cents per gallon on diesel fuel and kerosene, and 19.3 cents per gallon on aviation gasoline. After 18 months, the taxes would gradually phase back in slowly instead of returning all at once. "Americans are paying too much for gas right now, and the federal government can help relieve some of that pressure," said Congressman Van Drew. "My bill would completely suspend the federal fuel taxes for 18 months, so people are no longer paying those extra taxes per gallon every time they fill up their tank. That money adds up fast for families commuting to work or anyone who depends on their car every single day. This would put money back into people's pockets immediately. After 18 months, the taxes would slowly phase back in over time instead of hitting people all at once again. "While we can address the federal gas tax in Congress, New Jersey's gas tax is controlled by the governor and state leaders. New Jersey drivers are paying roughly 49 cents per gallon in state gas taxes on top of everything else. I am calling on Governor Sherrill to suspend the state gas tax in a similar structure. Working families need real relief, and they need it now."

Congressman Van Drew Slams Big Oil for Profiting While Americans Pay More at the Pump

Position: Congressman Van Drew criticizes major oil companies for maintaining high gas prices despite adequate U.S. production capacity, arguing they should prioritize relief for American consumers over profit maximization.

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew criticized major oil companies as gas prices remain high and continue to strain American families. "These companies are taking advantage of the situation, plain and simple," said Congressman Van Drew. "What is happening in the Middle East is being used as an excuse to maximize profits while hardworking Americans are stuck paying absurd prices. We have strong production here in the United States. We have supply. Prices should not be this high without companies doing everything they can to bring some relief to the people. These are American companies, and they should act like it. Put the American people and our own economy first. We can and should do better."

Congressman Van Drew Issues Statement on End of DHS Shutdown, Renews Push to Protect Federal Workers' Pay During Shutdown

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew released the following statement after Congress passed legislation to end the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and restore funding for critical agencies, including the Coast Guard, TSA, FEMA, Secret Service, and CISA. "This shutdown should have never happened in the first place," said Congressman Van Drew. "While I am glad this is over, I am not letting this go. Our federal workers should not have to worry if a paycheck is coming just because Congress cannot get its act together. That is why I will keep pushing my bill that would ensure members of Congress do not get paid during a shutdown, not even back pay once it is over. We owe the American people better than this, and we owe our federal workers a lot more stability than they got here."

Congressman Van Drew Provides Atlantic City Housing Authority Update, Announces Elevator Replacements

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew provided an update on conditions at the Atlantic City Housing Authority (ACHA), including immediate relief for residents and a long-term fix to ongoing elevator failures. "Elevators breaking down in these buildings has been a problem across multiple ACHA properties for years, especially Shore Park Hi Rise on Virginia Avenue, where many seniors and residents with disabilities live," said Congressman Van Drew. "It is unacceptable. Since the federal takeover of the ACHA, real leaders have been put in charge to take action and fix these problems. Recently, I announced more than $12 million in federal funding to help stabilize the ACHA and improve conditions for residents. I can now confirm that a portion of that funding will be used to fully replace the broken elevators. In the meantime, the elevators are operating again, and HUD has people on the ground right now helping residents day-to-day with groceries, mobility needs, and anything else that comes up. We are going to keep working until these conditions are fully fixed for the long term." Residents in need of assistance should contact Judy Grate in Resident Services at 609-957-0798.

Reps. Van Drew, Riley Introduce Bill to Let Families Deduct Taxes and Fees Driving Up Utility Bills

Position: The release advocates for legislation allowing taxpayers to deduct taxes and state-mandated surcharges on utility bills from their federal taxable income, framed as relief for families facing high energy costs.

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), along with Congressman Josh Riley (D-NY), introduced H.R. 8350, the No Taxes on Utility Bills Act, which would let taxpayers deduct all taxes and state-mandated surcharges included on their gas and electric bills from their federal taxable income, giving New Jersey families a much-needed tax break. "People are fed up with opening their utility bills and seeing line after line of extra charges that keep pushing the cost higher," said Congressman Van Drew. "They are paying more and more every month, and a big part of that is taxes and state-mandated charges that have nothing to do with how much energy they use. This bill would let taxpayers write off those extra charges to effectively lower their taxable income and keep more of their hard-earned dollars. While this is a state issue, both in terms of what is driving these high bills and what needs to be done to bring them down, I am going to keep doing everything I can at the federal level to help lower these costs. This bill is a simple, common-sense way to give these families some relief." This bill builds on Congressman Van Drew and Congressman Riley's No Bonuses for Utility Executives Act, which focuses on eliminating utility executives' bonuses when rates increase. "The people of New Jersey are struggling to keep up, and then they see executives getting bonuses while their bills go up," Congressman Van Drew continued. "That is backwards. If you are raising rates faster than inflation, you should not be receiving bonuses. Maybe then they will reconsider their insane rate increases." Click here to read the text of H.R. 8350, the No Taxes on Utility Bills Act. Click here to read the text of H.R. 6590, the No Bonuses for Utility Executives Act.

Congressman Van Drew Announces $12.4 Million for the Atlantic City Housing Authority

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that the Atlantic City Housing Authority (ACHA) will receive $12.4 million in federal funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Operating Shortfall program. "The people living in these buildings have been through a lot, and they deserve stability," said Congressman Van Drew. "This funding helps set the ACHA up for success, so the residents have safe, reliable housing. It will help cover basic operating costs to allow the housing authority to continue serving residents and stabilize day-to-day operations. I fought for years to get the federal government to step in and take control of the ACHA, and we got that done. Now we are continuing to build on that progress and make sure things are finally moving in the right direction."

ICYMI: Congressman Van Drew Announces Unprecedented $99 Million Army Corps Investment for South Jersey Beach Replenishment

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew announced that South Jersey will receive $99 million in federal funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to replenish and protect key beaches in the region. This is the biggest investment in New Jersey beach projects in a year without a severe coastal storm. "I have been working closely with the Army Corps to make sure South Jersey is a priority, and today we are seeing that pay off in a massive way," said Congressman Van Drew. "This announcement delivers $99 million for beach replenishment across Ocean City, Strathmere, Sea Isle City, Avalon, and Stone Harbor. This is a huge investment for our shoreline, one of the largest we have ever seen, and it is going to make a real difference. Our beaches are so important to South Jersey, and this level of investment means stronger protection, more stability, and peace of mind for our shore communities. I want to thank Secretary Adam Telle for coming down to the shore and seeing these needs firsthand and helping make sure this got done. "For months, I have been saying we needed to use disaster funding to get some of these projects done, and that is exactly what we did to unlock funding for places like Avalon and Stone Harbor. On top of this, we are also seeing additional investments in dredging across South Jersey, with more than $5 million going toward projects on the Salem River, Maurice River, Cold Spring Inlet, and the New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway, along with continued work to deepen the Salem and Maurice Rivers. We also secured the necessary support to complete the redesign of the Wildwoods project, which will allow us to use sand from Hereford Inlet to replenish North Wildwood. "In the meantime, I am continuing to push for additional resources, including the $70 million in earmarks I have requested through the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process for beach projects in Long Beach Island and Absecon Island, which includes Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate, and Longport. That includes funding to design erosion mitigation structures through my hotspot erosion law, so these communities are better protected moving forward. I have also requested funding to begin the process of extending the seawall in North Brigantine as part of our ongoing work to protect that area. In the long term, I am working on solutions like the Coastal Trust Fund Act to create a more reliable, permanent stream of funding for these kinds of projects. But today, this is a historic investment in South Jersey, and I am proud to have gotten it done."

Reps. Van Drew, Courtney Reintroduce the Agent Orange Service Medal Act

Position: The representatives support establishing a dedicated service medal to honor Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange during their service, recognizing their sacrifice and the long-term health effects they continue to experience.

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew (R-NJ), along with Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT), reintroduced the Agent Orange Service Medal Act to honor veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their service and continue to suffer from its long-term health effects. "Too many of our Vietnam veterans came home carrying invisible wounds from Agent Orange and are still dealing with the consequences decades later," said Congressman Van Drew. "We now know that exposure to this toxic chemical, which was used to clear dense vegetation during the war, is linked to serious illnesses, including cancers and chronic conditions that have impacted thousands of veterans and their families. These men and women answered the call to serve, and they deserve to know their country sees them, respects them, and remembers what they went through. This bill establishes a dedicated service medal to formally recognize those who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. We owe them much more, but this is one step toward honoring their sacrifice and giving them the respect they have long deserved." "The Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 extended care and benefits to thousands of veterans exposed to Agent Orange during their service. There's more work to be done, and while we build on the PACT Act to ensure every veteran receives the care and benefits they've earned, we should also continue honoring veterans' service and sacrifice," Congressman Courtney said. "The Agent Orange Service Medal Act would provide veterans and their families with a tangible token of our nation's enduring gratitude. I'm glad to join Congressman Van Drew to reintroduce this bill. In a Congress that is frequently defined by division, leaders should bring more bipartisan veterans bills to the floor for a vote."

Congressman Van Drew: Pay Our Coast Guard Now

Position: Congressman Van Drew calls for immediate payment of Coast Guard service members during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, urging the President to use executive action if necessary to ensure they receive compensation.

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Van Drew issued the following statement as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security continues, leaving Coast Guard service members without pay for 42 days. "Our Coast Guard men and women are good people," said Congressman Van Drew. "They have committed their lives to serving this country and protecting all of us. What is happening right now is painful, wrong, and downright shameful. It is unbelievable that in the United States of America, we have Coast Guard members going to food banks, holding fundraisers, and struggling to make ends meet. That is not who we are as a country, and it should make every single person in Washington embarrassed. "South Jersey is home to Coast Guard Training Center Cape May, the only recruit training center in our nation. I meet these men and women all the time. They are hardworking, decent, committed people, and they do not deserve to be treated this way. Despite all this, they continue to show up every single day and carry out their mission without pay. They deserve a government that shows up for them as well. I have spoken directly with President Trump and asked him to consider every possible option, including executive action, to get our Coast Guard paid during this shutdown, just like he has for TSA. For God's sake, stop playing politics with the people who protect this country. Pay our service members now."

Congressman Van Drew Calls on Governor Sherrill to Act on Soaring Utility Bills Immediately

Position: Congressman Van Drew opposes state-level utility delivery fees and energy policies that he argues have driven up costs for South Jersey residents. He supports federal legislation to restrict utilities from passing smart grid and EV charging program costs onto ratepayers and to prohibit state charges for regional emissions programs.

Washington, DC -Today, Congressman Van Drew renewed his call for immediate action from Governor Sherrill as utility bills across South Jersey continue to skyrocket, with many families now paying delivery fees that are double or even triple their actual energy usage. "People in South Jersey are opening their bills and seeing something that just does not make sense," said Congressman Van Drew. "In many cases, the delivery fees are higher than the cost of electricity itself. That is not normal, and it is not acceptable. For years, the state made bad decisions. They shut down reliable energy sources like nuclear, gas, and coal plants, including Beesley's Point coal plant, which was supposed to be converted to natural gas but was instead shut down. They took dependable power off the grid and never replaced it. Instead, they poured billions into offshore wind projects that were never going to deliver affordable, reliable energy. Now we are forced to import energy from other states at a much higher cost, and that failure is being dumped directly onto the backs of our residents through these outrageous delivery fees. "The Governor and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities have the authority to fix this, and they need to act now. I am once again calling on them to repeal these excessive delivery fees. The root of this problem lies at the state level. My hands are virtually tied here, but I am trying desperately at the federal level to help where I can. I have recently introduced a package of bills aimed at stopping unnecessary charges and protecting families from being forced to pay for costly energy programs. But the reality is that this is not a priority for every state because many states do not have this problem. At the end of the day, this problem was created by the past Governor, and it has to be fixed by this Governor." H.R. 1148, the Stop Misappropriating Ratepayer Tariffs for Excessive Resources (SMARTER) Act- requires states to consider prohibiting utilities from passing the cost of expensive smart grid projects onto ratepayers through Societal Benefit delivery charges. H.R. 5896, the Guarding Ratepayers from Imposed EV Charging Directives (GRID) Act- repeals federal standards tied to electric vehicle charging programs that are currently funded through Societal Benefits delivery charges. H.R. 7991, the Stop Taxing Our Power (RGGI) Act- would prohibit states from imposing charges for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Energy Efficiency Programs that ultimately raise costs on consumers.